Declaring Faith

by O H Griffith

Text: Hebrews 11.2

Introduction: Note: This might be effectively be introduced by the choir,

or a quartet, singing, "Faith Is The Victory."

A. Faith is claiming God's promises and responding to them

with no reservation about the outcome

B. The text mentions Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel

and others, all men of great faith

C. David has been chosen as our hero for this lesson

I. DAVID DECLARED HIS FAITH IN THE LIVING GOD 1 Samuel 17.6

A. He put no confidence in gods of wood, stone or gold

B. His life as a shepherd brought him into direct contact

with the wonders of God's creation

1. The rising and setting of the sun on an orderly schedule

2. The regular appearance of the stars. and of the moon in its regular phases

3. The bubbling of brooks; the birth of a lamb

4. The singing of the birds; the chirping of the crickets.

5. These, and others, all declared to David: "God lives. "

C. If God is not a living God, then there is no God.

1. Near the end of his life, David declared: "The Lord liveth" 2 Samuel 22.47

2. Job said: "I know that my redeemer liveth," Job 19.25

3. Jesus said: "As the living Father hath sent me," John 6.57

II. DAVID DECLARED HIS FAITH IN THE DELIVERING GOD, 1 Samuel 17.37

A. God delivered him from a lion and a bear

B. This strengthened his faith that God would deliver him

from the sword of Goliath

1. Such faith seems to have convinced troubled King Saul, verses 38 and 39

2. He then offered David the use of his armor

C. David's faith caused him to reject the provisions of men

in favor of the projection of the living God

III. DAVID DECLARED HIS FAITH IN SPITE OF CYNICS 1 Samuel 17.8-47

A. King Saul endeavored to dissuade him, vs 33

B. Through no fault of his, he had incurred the anger of his bother, Eliab

1. Eliab laughed almost hysterically

when David put on King Saul's over-size armor

2. He probably sneered in unbelief when David determined to meet the giant

armed only with his shepherd's staff and sling

3. He probably shouted in mockery as David confidently moved out

across the intervening valley, "Little brother,

do you have any message you want us to give to our father, Jesse?"

4. He probably sneeringly called out, "Be careful littIe brother

remember that old Prophet Samuel said you would be king someday,

but that giant will feed your dead body to the dogs.

That will show up that old prophet, ha, ha."

5. Laughter and ridicule does not deter those with real faith in the real God

a. Goliath cursed and ridiculed David, vs 43.

b. His insults and threats were blasphemous, verses 42-44

C. David's faith enabled him to praise God for victory before the conflict began

IV. THROUGH FAITH DAVID WAS VICTORIOUS, 1 Samuel 17.48-51

A. David never doubted the outcome of this confrontation

1. He ran to engage the foe, vs 48.

2. Faith enables one even to enjoy the conflicts against God's enemies

B. Through faith David prevailed

1. With a sling and a stone.

2. There was no sword in his hand; he did not need one

C. Goliath's head was severed with his own sword.

1. The unsaved, God-defying, are their own worst enemies

Index